Barbara J. Hodom
Court Clerk
Town Hall
447 Delaware Avenue
Delmar, NY 12054
(518) 439-4955, option 5 then option 2
E-mail: 

Department Telephone/E-mail Directory

 
Town Justice

Honorable Paul F. Dwyer
Honorable Ryan T. Donovan

Counsel
Andrew Kirby, Esq.
Thomas Newman, Esq.

Responsibilities of Office

Court Calendar
Criminal Court - 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. (see below)
Vehicle and Traffic Court - 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. (see below)
Town and State Police Trials - every Monday at 5:30 p.m.
Town and State Police Trials - 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.
Civil and Small Claims Hearings - 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.

ANY court date should be verified by calling the court office at 439-4955, option 5, option 2

Payments of fines or filing of small claim and civil cases may be done at the Town Court Clerk's office on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Payments must be made in the form of cash, money order, or certified check, no other checks will be accepted.  For more information, call the Court Clerk's office.

Frequently Asked Questions

2008 Court Calendar

January | February | March | April | May | June

Criminal Court is for Criminal Cases and Misdemeanors Only
511s (Alcohol Related Only) should be written for Criminal Court

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Criminal Court is for Criminal Cases and Misdemeanors Only

Town Court Entrance at 447 Delaware Avenue, Delmar

Justice Court
Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the Court mailing address?
A. The mailing address is located at the top of this page

Q. Are faxes accepted?
A. No faxes are accepted.

Q. What are the Court's hours?
A. The Court is open for assistance Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and remains open through lunch.

Q. What types of payments will the Court accept?
A. The Court accepts payments by money order, certified bank check or cash only.  We are unable to accept any forms of electronic payments (credit cards or debit cards) or personal checks.  Payments must also be made in full, no partial payments are accepted.

Q. What do I do if I get a traffic ticket?
A. When you receive a ticket from any police agency (Town, State, Sheriff, Environmental Conservation), you should appear in Court on the date and time indicated on the bottom portion of the motorist copy.  If you have received a traffic ticket which is a misdemeanor, a personal appearance is required.  These would include Vehicle and Traffic Law Sections 511, 512, 319 and 1212.  If you are in doubt about your particular ticket, please call the Court for clarification.

If you wish to plead GUILTY, please sign and date your ticket under Section A (on the back of some tickets) of the motorist copy, including any address changes and mail to the Court at the address indicated on the ticket or as above.  The Town Justice will review your ticket and impose a fine in addition to any and all MANDATORY surcharges.  A fine/surcharge notice will be mailed and you will be given 21 days to submit payment.  Failure to pay your fines and surcharges promptly and in full will result in the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles being notified to suspend your driving privileges, whether you live in New York State or elsewhere.

If you cannot appear at the date and time indicated on the ticket and wish to plead NOT GUILTY, please sign and date Section B, including any address changes and mail to the Court.  You SHOULD NOT appear on the date on the ticket if you have mailed in a NOT GUILTY plea.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles will be notified by the Court if for a period of 60 days from the return date, last adjournment date, or the date a fine/surcharge imposed by the Court was due, you failed to appear or to pay the fine/surcharge.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is not authorized to terminate a suspension for failure to appear or to pay a fine/surcharge until they are notified by the Court that you have paid a $35.00 Scofflaw Suspension Termination Fee, and appeared in Court or paid the fine/surcharge.  The Suspension Termination Fee is not payable if you appear or pay the fine/surcharge before the suspension date indicated on the form.  The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles also recommends that motorists carry their copy of the suspension release for at least 6 months.

The Town of Bethlehem has a parking ordinance in effect each year from November 1st through April 15th whereby no vehicles are allowed to be parked on any town roads between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. regardless of the weather.  This information is also posted on all roads as you enter the Town of Bethlehem, as well as being published in the Bethlehem Report and the Spotlight newspaper.

Q. What do I do if I get a parking ticket?
A. If you receive a parking ticket you have 20 days to mail the Court payment or appear in Court as indicated on your ticket.  After 20 days, the fine will be doubled.

The Town of Bethlehem Justice Court holds sessions for small claims and civil matters twice a month, generally on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday mornings at 8:00 a.m.

A small claim form is available, below, to print for your convenience, however, you must file the claim in person between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Small claims form (printable version)

There is a $3,000.00 limit for small claims actions.

The Defendant (the person or business you wish to bring to Court) MUST live within the Town of Bethlehem, have an office for the transaction of business or regular employment within the Town.

There are detailed small claims booklets available at the Town Court which answers many of your questions more completely.

Civil Matters requirements:

Please contact the Court directly for specific dates and times.

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